US 11,858,693 B2
Hinged zipper assembly of a resealable enclosure
Lars Wihlborg, Stratford, CT (US); Jose Septien, Naperville, CT (US); Clifton Howell, Elburn, IL (US); Marion Johnson, Hoffman Estates, IL (US); and Marco Aguilar, Elgin, IL (US)
Assigned to ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 17, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/404,864.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/067,608, filed on Aug. 19, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0055799 A1, Feb. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. B65D 33/25 (2006.01); A44B 19/10 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 33/2541 (2013.01) [A44B 19/10 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A zipper assembly comprising:
first and second zipper members each having an elongated body with a facing side, an opposite side, an upper edge, and an opposite lower edge, the facing sides of the first and second zipper members facing each other,
the first and second zipper members each having a profile protrusion that extends from the facing sides and are located between the upper and lower edges, the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members shaped to mesh with each other to interlock the first and second zipper members with each other,
the first and second zipper members each having flanges that extend from the lower edges, the flanges configured to be affixed to panels of an enclosure that is closed by meshing of the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members with each other,
wherein one or more of the first zipper member or the second zipper member includes a living hinge disposed between the lower edge and the profile protrusion of the one or more of the first zipper member or the second zipper member, the living hinge formed by a slit extending inwardly from the facing side toward the corresponding opposite side, the living hinge including interior surfaces opposing each other across the slit, the interior surfaces move relative to each other as the living hinge is opened and closed, the interior surfaces contacting each other while the living hinge is closed, the interior surfaces spaced apart from each other while the living hinge is open,
wherein in response to the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members being meshed with each other, the living hinge is configured to be closed, and
wherein in response to an opening force being applied to pull the flanges apart when the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members are meshed with each other, the living hinge is configured to be open while the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members remain meshed with each other.